"I can't believe it!! I can't believe it!!" Was all Kayla could squeal in delight outside the court.
Amy was so shaken by the turn of events, that her legs were too weak to carry her. She had to find somewhere to sit, lest she would crumble to the ground.
"Amy, can you believe it?!! We get to keep Tris!! He gets to stay with us!!" She jumped for joy.
If Amy was being honest, she couldn't believe it. She never expected for Cole to abruptly drop the case. The same case he'd spent so much on, just to prove to her that he could get whatever he wanted.
What was really going on?
She pinched herself for the upteenth time, just to make sure that she was in some kind of trance, far from harsh reality.
But no, she wasn't dreaming. The stinging pain she felt from the pinch was enough to let her know that this was the reality.
"Let's... Let's go home, Kayla..I can't wrap my head around it, and I think I'd need some rest to recover from this shock," Amy managed to mutter, and she got up from the pavement. Once Kayla pulled her to her feet, she hugged her very tight.
"I'm happy for you, Amy. I belated that you get to keep your son," she said, Amy could see Kayla's eyes well up with tears.
Amy smiled in appreciation, but in her mind, she thanked the Moon Goddess for giving her such a good friend. Kayla had been by her side throughout this phase, and Kayla had been so invested in it that she was getting emotional.
"Thank you for being a good friend, Kayla," Amy muttered, as she felt tears well up her eyes too.
Kayla opened her mouth to say something, but Amy noticed her gaze shift to someone over her shoulder.
"What... What are you looking at?" Amy questioned.
Amy felt a tap on her shoulder, and she turned. Her eyes met with Cole.
"Hey," she muttered.
"Hi," he replied.
"I guess I'll leave you both to have your time alone," Kayla said and walked away.
She turned to face him.
There was a long moment of awkward silence that ensued between the both of them. Neither of them knew what to say to each other, but they were somehow glad that they were in each other's space.
"Are you happy you get to keep him?" Cole broke the silence.
"Please. Who knows the ulterior motive you had in mind. What do you want? Surely you didn't come all the way, just to ask about my happiness," Amy said. Cole could feel her guards up with every word he threw at her.
"I just want to ask for a favor," he said.
"I knew it," Amy scoffed and looked away in disbelief.
"Look, I just need you to allow me to see him from time to time," he said.
"You see?! I knew there was some ulterior motive! You want to turn my son against me, right?! That can never happen-"
"Just give me a chance to explain myself, Amy," he cut her short. She stared at him for a second.
"I'm listening," she folded her arms.
"First of all, I want to let you know that there's no ulterior motive in my mind. I dropped the case because you made me know how much he meant to you. You told me he was your hope, and I didn't want to be the one to drain someone's joy. Plus, to be honest, it was more about proving you wrong than actually having him in my custody," he sighed.
"I let him stay with you because he means a lot to you, but I'm also his father. I need to be in his life. The little time I shared with Tris at the park got me close to him. So close, I knew he was my son, even before doing the DNA test. It created a bond between us, and I don't want to lose that. I haven't been a part of his life since he was born till now. I know there's no chance to right my wrongs, but at least give me the chance to make up for my absence. I know you probably hate me for the trauma I caused you, but all I ask is for me to spend some time with my son. Please, Amy," he begged.
For the first time in seven years, Amy stared into his eyes. She hadn't seen a pair that was more genuine than what she was staring at. She needed no one to tell her that he meant every word that just came out of his mouth.
"I'll think about it," Amy replied, after a long moment of contemplation.
"Really, thank you so much," Cole's eyes lit up with gratitude.
She took her bag to her shoulder and turned her back on him, heading away from the court.
Cole wanted to go back into the building to have a talk with his lawyer, but he could help but stare at her figure as she walked away.
He stood and watched as she left. All of a sudden, he saw her stop and turn back.
"Cole?" She called.
"Yes?" Cole replied.
"Thank you," she said.
Cole didn't know what to say to her words of appreciation, but his smile gave it away that he was happy she was happy.
"And also, no. No, I don't hate you," she said and with that, she turned away, on her way to the cab Kayla had flagged down for them.
Cole didn't know why, but he felt a surge of happiness surge from inside him at her last statement. This was probably the best thing he'd heard in a while.
He definitely didn't regret dropping the case.
*
"What was he saying to you? What were you both talking about?" Kayla questioned inquisitively immediately Amy entered the car.
"He begged me to at least let him have some time to bond with Tris," Amy replied once she settled in.
"And what did you tell him?" She queried.
"That I'll think about it," Amy answered.
"And do you plan on giving him that chance?" She asked.
"I honestly don't know yet. Why do you ask?" Amy questioned.
"Nothing. I just don't trust that Cole guy," Kayla replied and looked out the window.